Author: Ani Basmajian

                                        Tuesday, 

Yerevan May Scrap Plans For New Nuclear Plant


 . Sargis Harutyunyan


Armenia - A general view of the Metsamor nuclear plant, 20May2013.

The Armenian government may abandon its ambitious plans to build a new
nuclear power station in place of the aging plant at Metsamor, Justice
Minister Davit Harutiunian said on Tuesday.

President Serzh Sarkisian pledged to replace Metsamor, which generates
roughly a third of Armenia's electricity, by a modern facility meeting
safety standards shortly after taking office in 2008. The project
never got off the drawing board as his government failed to attract
billions of dollars in funding needed for the new plant's
construction. The government decided instead to extend the life of
Metsamor's 420-megawatt reactor by 10 years, until 2027.

"We will have a new nuclear plant if it is cost-effective in terms of
[electricity] tariffs," Harutiunian told reporters. "Just imagine a
possibility that it turns out tomorrow that modern technologies can
generate the same amount of energy without a nuclear plant and that
nuclear energy ... is much more expensive for consumers. Which path
should we opt for? Of course, modern technologies."

Asked whether that means the government now does not rule out the
possibility of giving up the idea of a new nuclear plant, Harutiunian
said: "You correctly understand my and my government's position." The
government will closely monitor international energy "trends" and
eventually decide "which model will best suit our consumers," added
the minister.

As recently as in July, Deputy Prime Minister Vache Gabrielian
insisted that the government remains committed to the expensive
nuclear project. He said the government has only revised the would-be
plant's design capacity from 1,000 megawatts to 600 megawatts.

Yerevan will commit to "the closure and safe decommissioning" of the
Metsamor plant in an extensive agreement with the European Union which
is due to be signed next month. The draft agreement sets no specific
time frames for the plant's shutdown. It also acknowledges "the need
for its replacement with new capacity to ensure the energy security of
the Republic of Armenia."



`No Obstacles' To EU-Armenia Deal


Armenia - Justice Minister Davit Harutiunian speaks to journalists in
Yerevan, 15Jun2017.

Nothing stands in the way of Armenia signing a landmark agreement with
the European Union next month, a senior government official in Yerevan
insisted on Tuesday.

The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), finalized
in March, is widely expected to be signed at the EU's November 24
summit in Brussels. Johannes Hahn, the EU commissioner for European
neighborhood policy, discussed with Armenian leaders preparations for
the summit when he visited Yerevan on October 2.

There are lingering fears among pro-Western circles in Armenia that
Yerevan will walk away from the agreement under pressure from Russia
at the last minute. They point to President Serzh Sarkisian's
unexpected decision in 2013 to join the Russian-led Eurasian Economic
Union. That move scuttled an Association Agreement that was negotiated
by Armenian and EU officials.

Justice Minister Davit Harutiunian was asked by reporters whether
there are any obstacles to the signing of the CEPA. "I don't see
them," he replied.

Harutiunian also denied any geopolitical motives behind the EU's
decision to publicize the CEPA late last week, arguing that Yerevan
and Brussels have already "reached final agreements on the text." "So
there is no need to look for any secrets or messages there," added the
minister.

The 350-page draft agreement posted on the EU website calls for
Armenia's greater involvement in "policies, programs and agencies of
the European Union." It commits the Armenian government to
implementing political reforms and "approximating" national economic
laws and regulations to those of the EU.



Jailed Oppositionist Denied Bail


 . Sisak Gabrielian


Armenia - Opposition activist Andrias Ghukasian goes on trial in
Yerevan, 2Aug2017.

An Armenian court refused on Tuesday to set free an opposition
activist pending a verdict in his trial on charges of aiding gunmen
that seized a police station in Yerevan last year to demand President
Serzh Sarkisian's resignation.

The arrested activist, Andrias Ghukasian, offered to post bail shortly
after the trial began in August. The presiding judge turned down the
request as "unfounded," prompting strong criticism from the defendant
and his lawyer.

They demanded that another, more "impartial" judge take over the
high-profile case. That demand was also rejected.

Ghukasian, was one of the organizers of demonstrations held in support
of the gunmen affiliated with a fringe opposition group. The charges
levelled against him stem from one of those rallies that was organized
on July 29, 2016 in Yerevan's Sari Tagh neighborhood close to the
besieged police base.

Riot police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters
after they refused to march back to the city center. Several
organizers of the protest were arrested and charged with provoking
"mass disturbances." All of them except Ghukasian were subsequently
released from custody.

The 47-year-old also stands accused of planning to have the protesters
break through a police cordon, join the gunmen and thus prolong their
standoff with security forces, which left three police officers
dead. He denies the accusations as politically motivated.

Ghukasian continued to insist on his innocence at Tuesday's court
hearing in Yerevan. He also said that the prosecution failed to
substantiate the charges levelled against him.

"This is a clear political order executed by the prosecutor for
reasons which I think are obvious to all of us," he charged.

More than 60 protesters were injured and hospitalized in the Sari Tagh
violence. The police say that 36 of their officers were injured by
stones thrown from the crowd shortly before the violent breakup of the
protest.

In a January report, Human Rights Watch said that the use of force
against the protesters was "excessive and disproportionate." The
crackdown has also been criticized by Armenian human rights activists.



Armenian Police Back Bill Against Domestic Violence


 . Tatevik Lazarian


Armenia - Colonel Nelly Durian (L) of the Armenian police attends
parliamentary hearings in Yerevan on domestic violence, 17Oct2017.

A senior representative of the Armenian police on Tuesday called for
the passage of a government bill aimed at combatting domestic violence
and helping its predominantly female victims.

The bill drafted by Armenia's Justice Ministry would introduce
criminal and administrative liability for specific cases defined as
domestic violence. It would also obligate the state to protect female
victims by providing them with special shelters or banning their
violent spouses from approaching them and even their children.

The proposed legislation is strongly backed by women's rights groups
campaigning for much tougher government action against the
practice. But it has met with fierce resistance from some conservative
groups and nationalist public figures. The two sides argued bitterly
during a public discussion on the bill organized by the Justice
Ministry on October 9.

The heated debate continued during hearings on the issue held in the
Armenian parliament on Tuesday.Colonel Nelly Durian, head of a
national police division dealing with children's rights and domestic
violence, was among senior officials who attended and spoke at the
hearings.

"We have violence within families and must do everything to help its
victims, to help children, women and even those individuals who resort
to violence," said Durian. "I think that this bill is aimed at doing
just that."

The police recorded 3,571 cases of domestic violence from
2012-2016. Women's rights groups have long accused the police of being
too lenient towards men systematically ill-treating their wives or
children and even turning a blind eye to their violent conduct.


Armenia - Deputy Justice Minister Vigen Kocharian speaks at
parliamentary hearings in Yerevan, 17Oct2017 .

Echoing statements by law-enforcement officials, Deputy Justice
Minister Vigen Kocharian said that Armenia's existing criminal and
family codes do not sufficiently empower relevant authorities to
tackle the problem. Hence, the need for a special law against it,
Kocharian told the hearings.

"About 47 percent of cases of sexual abuse of minors take places in
family milieus," the official said. "Some people may not be concerned
about this problem, but we are concerned."

Hasmik Khachatrian, a young woman who was abused by her husband for
almost a decade, also made a case for the bill's passage during the
discussion. She said it would protect victims of domestic violence and
spare them "the kind of obstacles which I have encountered."

The draft, which is due to be debated by the Armenian parliament soon,
defines four types of such abuse: physical, sexual, psychological and
economic. Some lawmakers asked Kocharian to elaborate on psychological
and economic violence, which prompted a particularly heated discussion
among participants of the hearings.



Press Review


"Zhoghovurd" describes as "quite interesting" Monday's meeting of the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in Geneva and statements that were
made right after the talks. The paper says the talks focused on
efforts to ease tensions on the frontline, rather than details of a
peaceful settlement proposed by the United States, Russia and
France. It believes that "mutual trust" and adherence to the ceasefire
regime is indispensable for a breakthrough in Armenian-Azerbaijani
peace talks.

"Zhamanak" says the best way for Armenia and Karabakh to deal with the
conflict with Azerbaijan is to achieve good governance, social justice
and faster economic growth. "Only after taking such steps at home
would Serzh Sarkisian get the comprehensive mandate, so to speak, to
joyfully talk to [Ilham] Aliyev in a [Geneva] garden," writes the
paper. "Parallel to this, Armenia needs peace on the borders and
stability in the region in order to solve those issues. In that sense,
the Geneva meeting, at least judging from first indications, gives one
reason to conclude that even if fundamental progress was not made
there, there is a possibility of maintaining the current relative calm
for some time."

"Aravot" notes that "almost nothing" is known about the substance of
the Sarkisian-Aliyev meeting. The paper expects Aliyev to again
publicly promise the liberation of "occupied Azerbaijani lands" on his
return to Baku. "Most of Azerbaijan's population probably believes in
that propaganda," it says. "Otherwise, it would have made no sense
[for Azerbaijani leaders] to dish out the same empty promises for 25
years. The Armenian public, which was raised and lives in
comparatively freer conditions, on the contrary believes only in
negative and pessimistic reports. Today our media outlets will
probably come up with headlines like this: `Sarkisian and Aliyev agree
on the surrender of five districts,' `Lavrov's infamous plan
realized,' `Territorial concessions becoming reality.'"

"Haykakan Zhamanak" reports that real estate prices in Yerevan fell to
a 10-year low in the first half of this year. "Apartment were not so
cheap even in the immediate aftermath of the 2008-2009 crisis," the
paper says.

(Tigran Avetisian)


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2017 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
October 7, 2017 Saturday


"I don't see anything condemnable in my Artsakh visit" - Cetinoglu



YEREVAN, OCTOBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Turkish scholar and activist Sait
Cetinoglu, who visited Artsakh in September, says Baku’s stir and
Azerbaijani chief prosecutor’s decision on issuing an international
arrest warrant for him and his friends is totally ungrounded.

In an exclusive comment for ARMENPRESS, Cetinoglu expressed concern
over Azerbaijan’s actions – which are aimed at making other countries
and international structures the tool of its manipulation.

“In addition of being a historian and genocide researcher, I am first
of all a lawyer and a human rights activist. I held a senior position
in Turkey’s Human Rights Association. Back when Amnesty International
didn’t function in Turkey, I was one of the people having an
international status of the organization. And when Amnesty
International decided to come to Turkey, I was one of their first
coordinators. At the same time I was the speaker of the Freedom of
Thought Initiative in Ankara.

From this perspective my visit to Artsakh is seen more than natural. I
accepted this proposal from my friend, Aragats Akhoyan, without
hesitation.

I find the terms “disputed” and “subject to discussion” territories to
be strictly problematic. According to whom or what are they disputed?
The answer to these questions is conjunctive and “realpolitik”. In
other words, this is a political situation which doesn’t reflect
reality.

In the present days, when humanity has reached such valuable
achievements, this is an absolutely unacceptable and retrograde
situation. As a lawyer and activist I don’t see anything condemnable
in my visit and research in the Caucasus’ Artsakh/Karabakh – which is
called “disputed” and “problematic”.

Next to the news about continuous clashes in the world’s agenda, I
find my visit to be more than natural to this region, where gross
violations of human rights happened in April of 2016, in order to
understand what is happening in that region. Moreover, I have to
confess that I became involved in this issue very late.

Azerbaijan’s issuance of international arrest warrants against us, by
violating international rights norms, is literally an act of violence.
The second unacceptable demand is demanding us from our own country in
order to punish us, which doesn’t have any legal basis and is
absolutely unacceptable. Capriciousness. And that’s why this demand
was ignored by our country.

Another manifestation of violence by Azerbaijan is obstruction of my
right to free movement by declaring me wanted. This situation is
nothing but a violation of fundamental human rights, an attempt to
make states and international organizations a tool of Azerbaijan’s
vagary. They are attempting to limit our right to visit not only
Artsakh, but also other countries.

As we know, the right to free movement is one of the fundamental human
rights. Proceeding from this principle, the International Criminal
Court rules the limitation of the right to movement to be a crime
against humanity.

I will release the results of my research in Artsakh separately”,
Cetinoglu said.

Araks Kasyan

Azeri-Press news agency (APA), Azerbaijan
October 5, 2017 Thursday


Azerbaijan says Armenia's actions contradict basic principles of Christianity



Armenia's actions aimed at looting the property and exploiting natural
resources in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, wiping out and
misappropriating material and cultural values belonging to the
Azerbaijani people and its unsuccessful attempt to change the
demographic situation constitute a flagrant violation of international
humanitarian law, including the obligations undertaken by Armenia
under the Geneva conventions, Hikmat Hajiyev, spokesman for the
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, told APA on Thursday.

'The misappropriation by Armenia of the historical Albanian-Christian
heritage and temples in Azerbaijan's occupied lands and the
construction of a church in the occupied Jabrayil district, where
Armenians never lived, are nothing but an attempt to give a religious
color to the conflict and impede the resolution of the conflict
through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on the basis
of the proposals put forward,' Hajiyev said. 'It's upsetting that
Armenian clerics is showing a particular zeal in this provocative
process that is in contrast with religious values.'

Hajiyev stressed that such attempts made by Armenia and its church run
contrary not only to international humanitarian law but also to the
basic principles of Christianity and the teachings of the Gospels that
encourage peace, respect for others' property, and avoidance of taking
people's lives and other acts of aggression.

'This particular provocation from Armenia will be brought up
accordingly at international organizations,' he added.

Armenians have recently held the opening of church (Virgin Mary) in
the occupied Azerbaijani district of Jabrayil.

The construction of the church has been funded by Gregory Movsesian.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict entered its modern phase when the
Armenian SRR made territorial claims against the Azerbaijani SSR in
1988.

A fierce war broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the
Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. As a result of the war,
Armenian armed forces occupied some 20 percent of Azerbaijani
territory which includes Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts
(Lachin, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan),
and over a million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally
displaced people.

The military operations finally came to an end when Azerbaijan and
Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in Bishkek in 1994.

Dealing with the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the
OSCEMinsk Group, which was created after the meeting of the CSCE (OSCE
after the Budapest summit held in December 1994) Ministerial Council
in Helsinki on 24 March 1992. The Group's members include Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Russia, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey,
Belarus, Finland and Sweden.

Besides, the OSCE Minsk Group has a co-chairmanship institution,
comprised of Russian, the US and French co-chairs, which began
operating in 1996.

Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of the UN Security Council, which
were passed in short intervals in 1993, and other resolutions adopted
by the UN General Assembly, PACE, OSCE, OIC, and other organizations
require Armenia to unconditionally withdraw its troops from
Nagorno-Karabakh.

Turan news agency, Azerbaijani Opposition
Sept 23 2017


Azerbaijan detains seven activists ahead of opposition rally

[Armenian News note: the below is translation from the Russian edition of Turan]


Turan, 23 Sep: Police [in Azerbaijan] have detained six activists
ahead of today's sanctioned rally to be staged by the [Azerbaijani
opposition umbrella group] National Council of Democratic Forces.

Among the detainees are members of the People's Front of Azerbaijan
Party [PFAP]: Ilham Huseyn, Maharram Rza, Bahruz Hasanli, Emil
Salimov, Saqif Qurbanov and Aqil Maharramov.

A member of the Muslim Unity Movement, Ahsan Nuruzada, was also detained.

The PFAP leadership told Turan news agency that the reasons for the
detention of the activists are not reported, but this is certainly
connected with the conduct of the opposition rally.

As for [Azerbaijani religious activist] Ahsan Nuruzada, he disappeared
on 19 September [as published; Turan reported earlier that Nuruzada
went missing on 24 January] and it became known later that he was
subjected to 10-day administrative arrest. [Turan said earlier that he
was kept in the main directorate for combat organised crimes of the
Interior Ministry until 30 January without informing his family and
was not allowed to meet his lawyer Yalcin Imanov].

We should recall that at 1500 local time [1100 gmt on 23 September], a
rally will be held at the Mahsul stadium in [Baku's] Yasamal district
with a demand that the authorities explain the illegality of spending
almost 3bn dollars, which were used to bribe foreign politicians and
plundered by state officials.

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
Aug 25 2017


Heads of DFA and Armenian-American Business Council discussed
investment prospects with US technology companies


Yerevan August 25

Naira Badalyan. For better positioning in the eyes of the US business
circles, as well as engaging in the Armenian economy US investment in
the near future on the initiative of the Armenian Development Fund
(ADF) in the Republic of Armenia will host workshops, which will
feature the creative development of local expertise. "Immediately on
his return to Armenia, we are planning to organize a seminar 1-2,
where in one place will gather all creative thinkers," - said the
executive director of the ADF Armen Avak Avakian after round table
discussions with representatives of the American medium and large
businesses in Los Angeles.

As the press service of the FRA, during his visit to the United States
head of the organization, accompanied by Chairman of the
Armenian-American Business Council Alec Baghdasaryan visited a number
of technology companies, including "Career", "QUETICO", "Cater Truck".
The investment prospects of Armenia were discussed with the heads of
the companies.

Previously, ArmInfo reported that a presentation of investment
opportunities of Armenia was held in the American Los Angeles. Head of
ARF told US investors about the readiness of Yerevan to become an
important platform to enter the Iranian market (from $ 450 billion
GDP) and the EAEC (with $ 3 trillion of GDP). In addition, during the
presentation "Choose Armenia" in the video "Nation of Innovation", the
achievements and opportunities of the republic in the field of IT were
demonstrated. The event was held on the initiative of the Armenian
Genocide in Los Angeles. Head of the Chamber of Commerce of Los
Angeles County and Orange County, and the cities of Los Angeles and
Glendale, representatives of consulting agencies and corporate
executives, attended it.

To note, as of April 1, 2017 accumulated gross investment in Armenia
from the US amounted to 211.1 billion AMD or $ 436.6 million with an
annual growth of 13%. In particular, FDI amounted to 122.6 billion or
$ 253.6 million, with annual growth of 11%. Taking into account
repayments, gross investments amounted to over 99 billion or $ 204.8
million with annual growth of 4%, including FDI 80.5 billion AMD or $
166.5 million with an annual decline of 4%. (The calculated exchange
rate of AMD as of March 31, 2017 was 483.45 AMD).

Agence France Presse
August 24, 2017 Thursday 8:59 PM GMT


Hollywood honors French singing legend Charles Aznavour

 Los Angeles, Aug 24 2017

French icon Charles Aznavour, one of the 20th century's most prolific
entertainers who continues to write and perform at 93, was honored
Thursday with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

With a career spanning eight decades, the crooner has recorded 1,400
songs -- 1,300 of which he wrote -- and produced over 390 albums in
multiple languages.

The star, who is also credited in more than 60 movies, defied
detractors who pointed to his unconventional looks to become one of
France's most iconic singers, dubbed the country's Frank Sinatra.

"Sinatra once said every song is a one-act play with one character,
and Charles is an extraordinary actor as well as an extraordinary
singer," film director Peter Bogdanovich, a friend of the star, said
at the unveiling ceremony.

Aznavour delivered a brief message thanking well-wishers, explaining
that he rarely speaks publicly in English as he doesn't feel his
command of the language is good enough.

"French is my working language but my family language is always
Armenian," he said, in front of hundreds of fans from both countries,
as well as supporters from across the world gathered outside the
historic Pantages Theater.

"After today, after that star there, I can be somebody that can say
I'm also now a little bit Californian because I have my daughter here
and my grandchildren."

Bogdanovich -- whose movies include "What's Up, Doc" and "The Last
Picture Show" -- went through some of Aznavour's most popular hits,
including "She," which he described as the greatest ever song about
women, and paid tribute to Aznavour's energy and dedication.

"That he does what he does at 93 is an inspiration to all of us. He
doesn't lack anything. He's the best," he added.

- 'An actor who sings' -

Born Shahnour Varinag Aznavourian in Paris to Armenian immigrants on
May 22, 1924, Aznavour has sold more than 100 million records.

Aznavour's parents fled the Turkish-ruled Ottoman empire to escape the
massacres being committed against their compatriots and landed in
Paris, where they were waiting for a visa to head to the United
States.

When the visa never materialized they ended up making their home in
France, producing shows which Aznavour and his sister would take part
in from a very young age.

He said in a recent interview with BBC radio he always saw himself
"more as an actor who sings than a singer who acts."

Aznavour left school early -- and said he was always uncomfortable
about his lack of higher education -- but after World War II he teamed
up with fellow French icon Edith Piaf, who took him to America and a
solo career.

As her manager and songwriter, Aznavour lived with Piaf for eight
years, once remarking he saw many of her lovers come and go but he was
not one of them as "she was not my type."

Either way, Piaf's endless badgering for Aznavour to get a nose job
eventually paid off.

"As for criticism, I have heard it all: They said I was ugly, short,
that the ill should not be allowed to sing," he once told AFP in an
interview.

"I had an exemplary career I never could have dreamed of."